At the start of every new year, I make it a goal to refresh the kitchen. Refrigerator, freezer, pantry — no drawer or door is left unopened. It’s cathartic to give everything a good cleaning, all the while taking inventory of what needs to be replaced or replenished.

Always at the top of my list, though I make it many times throughout the year, is a big pot of rich homemade stock. Not only is this liquid gold cheaper and better tasting that store-bought, it feeds into another of my goals, to reduce food waste.

Again, it couldn’t be simpler — shred the cabbage, massage in some salt, mix in the herbs, transfer to a jar. In as few as two to three days later, sauerkraut! And this updated version, well, just look how lovely. Fantastic flavor, and blood-red in time for the spooky fun holiday in less than two weeks.

If you’ve seen our herb and spice collection — a full three-level cabinet + overflow in the pantry — you are well aware of my fascination at the limitless possibilities. Curiosity never killed the adventurous cook. (Unless it’s fugu. Don’t eat fugu.)

Originating in the Punjab region of Northern India, garam masala is composed of familiar spices in a blend that may not be established in your kitchen. Yet.

The name literally translates to “hot spices,” but it’s more a deep warmth than fiery heat. Must-haves are cinnamon, black peppercorns, cardamom, nutmeg, and coriander. Ginger, cloves and mace typically find their way in as well. Maybe cumin, caraway, or nigella seed (also called black cumin, or kalonji).

Though I’ll greedily inhale multiple bowls of plain pintos in their “pot liquor,” beans are generally regarded as not so special on their own, and therefore find their way into other dishes. Spanning the spectrum of colors, shapes, and sizes (peep the beauties from Rancho Gordo), beans are literally the foundation for a world’s worth of incredibly tasty recipes.

And if there’s one simple kitchen technique to have in your back pocket, it’s cooking a pot of beans.